Silly Season Part 287

[Meroo]

The following has been reported by news service AAP. Just another rumour to add to the growing list?

"Australian Mark Webber could be lining up on the Formula One grid next year with a Ferrari engine behind him.

In a new twist, Minardi is reportedly in the mix for a supply of engines from the world championship-winning marque.

And another option concerning Webber's future for 2003 has now been raised.

The Australian, who has been impressive in his F1 debut year, has another year to run on his contract with Minardi.

Team owner Paul Stoddart could trade him to the Sauber outfit, which currently uses Ferrari engines, as part of a deal to secure the Italian powerplant.

The suggestion that Minardi is in the running for Ferrari engines has been reported by the current British Autosport magazine.

It is possible a Sauber drive could take precedence over Webber's switch to Jaguar, which was strongly mooted after he tested for the team recently.

Stoddart currently has a free supply of Asiatech engines and a Ferrari supply could cost as much as $A60million for next season.

However, he is still in talks with potential investors in Minardi, including Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed.

"If that deal (Al-Waleed) does happen I will be very surprised if it happens in weeks rather than months," Stoddart told Autosport.

"It's in the early stages of discussion but we are also talking to a group of investors, a sponsor and a joint sponsor/investor so no decision is imminent," he said.

Stoddart said he wanted to remain at the helm of Minardi but would let go if his staff's future looked assured.

Minardi could go into the first grand prix after the current break - the Hungarian GP in Budapest - with a new driver.

Under-performing Malaysian Alex Yoong, who has three times failed to qualify, has admitted he would not be surprised if he were demoted to test driver before the next race.

Meanwhile Sydney's James Courtney will be fit this week's Marlboro Masters Formula 3 event in Zandvoort, Holland.

Courtney has been sidelined since his high-speed crash at Monza while testing for the Jaguar Formula 1 team last month.

But he topped the timesheets recently when he returned to his regular Carlin Motorsport F3 cockpit at an official test at Snetterton.

Courtney missed one round of the British F3 championship at Rockingham, allowing rival Robbie Kerr to take the series points lead.

Their battle will resume at Oulton Park on August 18."